Larry R. Morse

In the mid 1980’s senior hockey in Nova Scotia had returned to the level of play and popularity not seen since the 1960’s. The Windsor Schooners were one of the top teams in the league and Berwick’s Larry Morse was one of their top players.

Larry started playing hockey in the Berwick minor system at the age of four. He developed an effortless skating style with deceptive speed. Larry is considered “strong on the puck with an uncanny ability to find the back of the net”. He was always called on to score the goals. In the Juvenile regional finals against West Pubnico, Larry scored all five Berwick goals including the winner in overtime to advance the locals to the Provincial Final Four. In that championship he was the tournament top scorer and was named first team all-star.

After his minor hockey days, Larry moved on to play at Kingstec where he was top scorer two years in a row. After Kingstec, he joined the Valley Wildcats of the Maritime Junior A league. Larry was a steady performer with the Wildcats registering a four goal game. In his final season he was awarded a trophy from then Wildcats’ Corner Gang for his scoring and entertaining ability over his junior career.

Larry’s rugged style and ability to score goals made him an obvious recruit for the senior team in Windsor. His five seasons with Windsor were followed by one highlight after another.

In 1983/84 he scored two goals in 16 seconds and was 12th in league scoring. Larry was developing a reputation as the ultimate power forward. He could score goals, he could set up goals and he wasn’t afraid to mix it up. In the 1984/85 season, the Windsor Schooners won the Nova Scotia Senior A Provincial Championship. Larry led the league in assists with 48 in 32 games and 4th in league scoring. The 1985/86 season brought another Senior A title to Windsor and Larry won the league scoring championship leading both goals and assists categories. He was also named first team all-star. Joel Jacobson of the Chronicle Herald stated “Larry Morse could set an example for any athlete in any sport. He’s a worker and he is proving that hard work pays off”. Coach Brian Redden spoke highly of Larry, saying “He’s very good in the corners, has a positive attitude, is easy to coach and would be called a team man. His anticipation from center ice in makes him a great scorer”. Larry partnered with fellow Berwick resident Brian MacAskill to create the highest scoring pair in the league and the area’s two most exciting and talented hockey players.

After completion of his fifth season in 1986/87, Larry was second in all-time scoring behind Dartmouth’s Danny Flynn and second all-time in league penalty minutes. No doubt he had more Gordie Howe hat tricks – one goal, one assist and one fight per game than any other player in the league.

In the summer during those years Larry ruled the ball hockey leagues as well. He was the top scorer in the Berwick Ball Hockey League four years in a row and top scorer in the Kentville League. Larry also covered the outfield for the Waterville Juniors and Berwick Eassons coveting a Valley Fastball League all-star award while with the Juniors.

Larry has been quick to give back to sports as a coach in minor hockey, high school hockey and minor baseball as well as President of Berwick Minor Hockey.

The Berwick Sports Hall of Fame is proud to recognize Larry Morse as an inductee in 2007.